schneider



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. 0'. SCHNEIDER. WRITING DESK.

No. 494,649. w Patented Apr. 4, 1893.

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(No Model.) I 2 S heetS'Sheet 2.

C. 0. SCHNEIDER. WRITING DESK; I

No. 494,649. Patent edApr. 4, 1893.

THE N'cmms PETERS co., PHu'ro-urua, wAsnme'rou D c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL OTTO SCHNEIDER, OF DRESDEN, GERMANY.

WRITING-DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 494,649, dated April 4, 1893.

Application filed November 11, 1392. Serial No. 451.675- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OAEL Orro SCHNEIDER, a subject of the King of Saxony, residing at Dresden, in the Kingdom of Saxony, German Empire, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements inPortable Writing-Desks, of which the following is a specification.

The subject of this invention is an article which, when not in use, assumes the shape of a flat box, Whereas, when opened for use, it constitutes a complete writing desk with the necessary stand for books or documents to be copied from and the like, and with pen, ink and similar accessories. This folding desk, therefore, as will be understood, is particularly suitable for use on a journey or in the field, &c., though it may also if necessary be provided with legs and used as a piece of furniture in an apartment. And it can be so arranged that the ink bottle or bottles do not require any particular closing devices and are yet prevented from spilling their contents.

The invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a back View and Fig. 2 a side view of the improved folding desk when opened for use. Fig. 3 is a plan with the upper cover raised. Fig. at is a cross section of the desk when closed, and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side view. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views more particularly to be referred to further on.

a, designates a flat box to one of the side walls of which is hinged or pivoted a cover or side of part c are arranged toothed racks d pivoted at one end to part a while their 0pposite ends are pivoted to slotted bars e which are adjustable upon frame 0 by means of thumb nuts f within proper limits or at a given angle to the frame 0. Until the nuts are tightened the racks d are controlledby springs g on the frame 0. By means of these racks the plate I) is retained at the desired angle to the support or frame a. Each of the racks works in a slot formed in the plate I) and engages with pins h provided in these slots (Fig. 2). The slotted bars e enable the support 0 to be adjusted at the desired angle when it is to be used as a stand for books or the like which are then placed upon the small shelf or ledge 'i. This ledge t' also carries such accessories as ink bottles in a pen-box and pen-holders, pencils, &c., resting in suitable slots or notches in bridges Z provided for the purpose. To enable these articles to retain their horizontal position, Whatever the position of the frame 0, the ledge or shelf '6 is hinged or pivoted to frame 0, and in engagement with one end of a link m the other end of which is pivoted to the box a. By this means a jointed mechanism or parallel motion is formed in which the part 1 always remains horizontal (really parallel with part a, but part a is supposed to be horizontal) to whatever position the other sides of the square may be swung.

The ink bottles k if unprovided with a special closing device for themselves, are, when out of use, closed as follows: On the inner side of the cover b, at the parts which are situated directly above the ink bottles when it is put down, are provided india rubber plates or pads at. These, when the desk is closed, tightly adhere to the openings or mouths of the ink bottles and form a perfect closure. Pen-holders and the like are in a similar manner retained in their positions upon the rack Z, an india rubber band 0 taking up its position across these when the lid or cover is put down, whereby a yoke shaped spring 19 is expanded. This arrangement is clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

When the desk is to be folded together, it is necessary first to unscrew the thumb nuts f when the desk may be closed as will be readily understood and as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The hooks g by engaging with eyes g on support I) serve for keeping the box closed.

I claim- 1. In a portable writing desk, the combina tion with a flat box, and hinged lid or writing table, of a frame or book-stand, a ledge or shelf pivoted to the support or stand, and a link connecting the shelf with the box, substantially as described.

2. In a portable Writing desk, the combination with a flat box, and hinged lid or writing table, a frame or book stand, a ledge or shelf pivoted to the support or stand, and a link connecting the shelf with the box, and an ink bottle, supported on the shelf of an elastic plate or pad on the lid for tightly closing the bottle when the lid or cover is closed, substantially as described.

3. In a portable Writing desk, the combination with a box and a lid or cover hinged thereto, of a frame or book support also hinged to the box opposite to the lid orcover bars oarricd by the said support on each side and toothed racks pivoted at one end to the said bars and at the opposite end to the support and adapted to adj ustably support the lid or coverin the manner and for the purpose specified.

4:. In aportable writing desk, the combination with a box and a lid or cover hinged thereto, of aframe or book support also hinged to the box opposite to the lid or cover, slotted bars arranged on each side of the support, thumb-screws and nuts adj ustably securing the said bars upon the support, rack-bars pivoted at one end to the said bars and at the opposite end to the support and adapted to adjustably support thelid, in the manner and for the purpose specified.

5. In a portable writing desk, the combination with a box and a lid or cover hinged thereto, of a frame or book support also hinged to the box opposite to the lid or cover, a ledge or shelf pivoted to the said support and provided with a pen-rack or tray, a yoke-shaped spring carried by the lid on its under side, and an elastic band fitted around said spring, all as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a portable Writing desk, the combination with a box and a lid or cover hinged thereto and adapted to be suitably supported at its outer end, of a frame or book support hinged to the box opposite to the lid or cover and adapted to be suitably supported in a raised position, as described, for the purpose specified.

7. In a portable writing desk, the combination with a box, and a lid or cover hinged thereto,of a frame or book support hinged to the box opposite to the lid or cover, slotted plates carried by the said support on each side and adj ustably secured theretoby means of set-screws and nuts, racks pivoted at one end to the book support and at the opposite end to the slotted plates, pins carried by the lid or cover at its outer end and engaging with the teeth of the racks, in the manner and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

C ARL OTTO SCHNEIDER.

\Vitnesses:

OTTO WOLFE, HUGO DUMMER,

Both of Dresden. 

